Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Italian Multi-Sectional Suede Couch by Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A bold and stylish Italian multisectional sofa upholstered in vibrant orange suede, manufactured by Roche Bobois. Featuring modular design for versatile seating configurations, clean...
Suede
Milo Baughman Ivory Cream Semi-Circular Sectional Sofa for Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
There can hardly be a more emblematic Mid-Century Modern sofa than the Milo Baughman semi-circular sectional sofa circa 1970s made by Thayer Coggin. The most well known and admired o...
Upholstery
Vintage Velvet Brown / Green Modular Sofa, 3-elements
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This modular sofa was made in Germany in the 1970s. It features three elements covered in brown / green velvet fabric which is in an overall good clean vintage condition.
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Pair of "Cubo" Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960s
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Pair of "Cubo" Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960s Created by renowned Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin circa 1960, the "Cubo" - or Cube - armchair is s...
Fabric, Plywood
1964 Original 932-Quartet Leather Sofa Sectional Mario Bellini for Cassina 2pcs
Located in Basel, BS
Move over, here comes the MEGA CULT CLASSIC, and Extremely rare Bellini that you can also sip Bellini's upon like a ROCK STAR! She is an absolute show stopper for any space... An ...
Leather, Canvas
Swedish Modern, Freestanding Two Seater Sofa / Bed in Pine & Lambswool, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Odense, DK
A gorgeous compact two-seater sofa from the 1950s, handcrafted by a Swedish carpenter featuring a solid pine frame with beautiful natural grain. This substantial, heavy piece is desi...
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Pine
1970s Rare Mid Century Two-Seat Sofa, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - Velvet fabric in good original condition - cleaned - high of seat 40 cm
Fabric
American Modern, Tropical Fabric, Monumental Custom Sofa, USA, 20th c.
Located in Stamford, CT
American Modern, Tropical Fabric, Monumental Custom Sofa, USA, 20th c. A large custom made sofa dressed in a tropical printed fabric. Having three removable seat cushions. Fabric, ...
Fabric
American Designer, Large Sofa, Wood, Fabric, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A large curved green fabric and wood sofa designed and produced in the US, 1950s. Seat height: 16”
Fabric, Wood
$22,769Sale Price|24% Off
Bogo Sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate
By Carlo Bartoli, Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Modular suede and leather sofa 'Bogo' by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate. Italy, 1970 circa Measures: Lounge chair: 100 x 18...
Leather, Suede
$3,259Sale Price|20% Off
Tobia Scarpa "Coronado" Black Leather Sofa for B&B, Italy 1970 ca.
Located in Sacile, PN
Coronado sofa designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia. The project is dated 1966. Black leather, great condition.
Iron
$2,157Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Scala sofa set by Dreipunkt international, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Model 'scala' sofa set consisting of 2 two seater benches and an armchair. Solid beech wooden frames with brown chocolate leather cushions and straps. Beautiful and timeless desig...
Leather, Beech
Large High Back Ploum Sofa by Ligne Roset
By Ligne Roset, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Great Ploum Sofa by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset. This ultra coveted sofa is the epitome of comfort. Form and function. Sofa is pre-owned and in fair condition. The...
Fabric
Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 'Saratoga' Three-Seater Sofa
Located in Corby, GB
I have for sale the striking silhouette that is the Saratoga sofa, or the 'case' or 'cube' sofa, designed by Massimo & Lella Vignelli, for Poltronova, in the early 1960s. All can be ...
Acrylic, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
Located in Houston, TX
Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, this refined mid-century Italian sofa exemplifies the designer’s signature balance of architectural clarity and functional elegance. Designed in the 19...
Brass, Steel
Danish Midcentury 3-Seater Sofa in Solid Oak and Wool by Henry Kjærnulf, 1960s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and sought after sofa attributed to Danish Designer, Henning Kjaernulf made from quarter-sawn white oak, Hand carved in brutalist style seeking inspiration from art & crafts...
Brass
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for Minotti, 1950s
By Minotti, Gigi Radice
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa designed by Gigi Radice for Minotti. Made with solid wood structure and blue velvet covering and legs in brass and black lacquered metal. It is recommended to replace the lining...
Brass
1972 De Sede DS-600 Snake Sectional Sofa Cognac Brown Leather Sofa Switzerland
By De Sede, Heinz Ulrich, Klaus Vogt, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, Ueli Berger
Located in Miami, FL
A design by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland. This De Sede Modular Snake sectional sofa contains twelve pieces in original lea...
Leather, Felt
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Curve Module, Grey
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Curve module Measures: W. 125 cm / D. 96 cm / H. 70 cm / Seat Height 42 cm Modular sofa: assemble different modules t...
Foam
$27,562 / set
Sofa by Tito Agnoli, 1969
By Tito Agnoli, Arflex
Located in Berlin, DE
This rare set consisting of three armchairs and two corner elements was designed by Tito Agnoli for Arflex. The seating combination can be arranged in various ways. The dimensions ar...
Leather
Elegant Italian Sofa in White Leatherette and Floral Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leatherette, fabric, wood, brass, Italy, 1970s This charming looking sofa owes its elegancy to the curved shape of the body and high, imposed backrest. The seat is upholstere...
Brass
Midcentury Sofa or Daybed designed by Miroslav Navratil, 1960s.
By Interiér Praha, Miroslav Navratil
Located in Praha, CZ
- very iconic sofa - adjustable - confortable - rare colored
Fabric, Wood
Very Rare Cognac-Colored Leather Sofa by Jacques Brule, 1963s
By Hans Kaufeld
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This very rare sofa, designed by Jacques Brule and produced by Hans Kaufeld in Germany in 1963, is a remarkable example of mid-century modern design. The sofa features a distinctive ...
Steel, Chrome
De Sede DS-88 Landscape Sectional Sofa in Cognac Tan Leather, Switzerland 1970's
By De Sede
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Introducing this gorgeous center piece Cognac Tan leather DS88 sofa in patchwork by De Sede. The sofa is sectional so it can be set-up in different ways to your own liking. The sofa...
Leather
Harvey Probber American Mid-Century Green Velvet Round Sofa
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century large round sofa with a low curved partial backrest and emerald green velvet upholstery with a button tufted removable seat cush...
Metal, Brass
Early Vintage Eero Saarinen Womb Settee Sofa for Knoll Restored in White Leather
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Troy, MI
An early production Womb settee designed by Eero Saarinen Knoll circa 1960's Black enameled steel frame with new white leather upholstery Original label intact to underside 62 inch...
Steel
$1,378Sale Price|34% Off
Vintage 70's sofa burgundy fabric Formanova design
By Formanova
Located in None, IT
Two-seater sofa, with black and chrome metal frame, Bordeaux fabric upholstery, Formanova design, 1970s. CONDITION: In good condition, may show signs of wear given by time. SIZING:...
Metal
$5,632Sale Price|34% Off
Divano vintage anni 70 "Tentazione" design Mario Bellini per Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in None, IT
Three-seater sofa with wooden frame and beige fabric cover, model "Tentazione" designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1970s. CONDITION: In buone condizioni, potrebbe presentare segn...
Fabric, Wood
Tobia Scarpa “Bastiano” Black Leather, Three-Seater Sofa, Gavina
By Knoll
Located in Astoria, NY
This exceptional Bastiano sofa, designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina in the 1960s (later produced by Knoll), is a true icon of Italian modernist design. The piece is greatly preserved...
Leather, Wood
Sofa / Daybed "Minerva" by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen France & Søn, 60s
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Sofa daybed from the 1960s by France and Søn made of teakwood. This piece is featuring two cushioned armrests. The piece has been restored and covered with a light grey fabric "Halli...
Wool, Teak
Danish Modern Frits Henningsen Large Scale Sofa 118" Width Reupholstered
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Sofa, designed by Frits Henningsen, Denmark, circa 1940s. This sofa is currently being reupholstered and can be completed in your fabric. Simply send us 14 yards of you...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,840Sale Price|20% Off
De Sede DS-19 model 'Pagoda' modular Sofa in Cognac Leather
By De Sede
Located in Amsterdam, NL
High-quality modular Sofa DS-19, model 'Pagoda', designed by De Sede in the 1970s, Switzerland. Two corner elements that can be set up as a two-seater or as separate seating elements...
Leather, Foam, Wood
Outdoor 'Virkelyst' 3-Seater Sofa in Teak and Honey Yellow Fabric for FH Outdoor
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Glendale, CA
Outdoor 'Virkelyst' 3-seater sofa in teak and honey yellow fabric for FH Outdoor Fritz Hansen's outdoor collection (originally Skagerak) emphasizes sustainability by using responsib...
Fabric, Wood, Teak
Vintage Brown German 3-seat Modular Design Sofa Boucle, 1970s
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This vintage modular sofa was made around the 1970s in Germany. It features 3 elements covered in brown boucle fabric. It is very comfortable with only minimal signs of wear, as show...
Fabric
Fantastic Restored Vintage Modern Rattan Three-Seat Sofa
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent sofa is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: meticulously professionally restored and completely Installation Ready. Expert custom upholstery service is available. An exceptional vintage modern three-seat sofa, circa 1950. Stout, expertly crafted rattan frame construction. Beautiful design and detail. The matching pair of loungers...
Rattan
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa in Light Blue Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, sofa, model 5150, fabric, metal, United States, 1950s. The sofa exudes a simple and elegant style, reminiscent of the classic design elements typically a...
Metal
$15,339Sale Price|20% Off
Iconic Anfibio sofa by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti 1970
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Iconic 3 seater sofa/bed designed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti, 1970. The sofa is in original leather, very good condition, smaal sign of aging, small hole( about2 mm) in the...
Steel
Pair of Sofa Cassina Mario Bellini Black Skin Italian Design Minimal Razional
By Cassina
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of sofa Cassina Mario Bellini 1970s black skin Italian design minimal Razional.
Animal Skin
New Linen Upholstery Three Seater Sofa Bamboo Sofa & Pair of Club Chairs MINT!
By McGuire, Ficks Reed
Located in Rockaway, NJ
New Linen Upholstery Three Seater Sofa Bamboo Sofa & Pair of Club Chairs MINT! sofa dimensions: 32" x 64" x 33" lounge chair dimensions: 32" x 27" x 33"
Upholstery, Cane, Rattan, Linen, Bamboo
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Sofa and Loveseat Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A matching set, sofa and loveseat designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin in original Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera fabric. The channeled and flared arms hug the seat cushions. Ev...
Velvet
Vico Magistretti – Maralunga Sofa – Cassina
Located in Budapest, HU
Vico Magistretti – Maralunga Sofa for Cassina – 1 Piece Designed by the renowned Vico Magistretti for Cassina, this Maralunga sofa is ...
Metal
Sofa by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø, Niels Eilersen
Located in Ranst, VAN
Vintage sofa designed by Illum Wikkelsø for Niels Eilersen, Denmark 1960s. The sofa has a teak frame and the cushions have a cream beige fabric. The sofa is in great condition. Dime...
Teak
$4,490 / item
Zebra Patterned Upholstered Armchair, Model Miles
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Miles is a series of furniture designed by MER Arkitekter, a Stockholm-based architecture firm. Miles Armchair Boucle is an armchair characterized by its large cushions, rounded corn...
Spruce, Plywood
Casulo, Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and off-white fabric sofa produced by Casulo, Brazil, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.75"H x 67.0"W x 35.0"D Seat Height (inches): 17.25" Arm Height (inches): 23....
Fabric, Wood
Curved Egg Shape Sofa, in the Style of Ico Parisi, Pure Mohair, Italy, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A superb, unusual Italian egg shaped sofa, in the style of Ico Parisi. The sofa has been reupholstered in a grey (with a hint of brown) premium pure mohair fabric and is of a curved,...
Fabric, Wood
1960s Kai Kristiansen Paper Knife 3-Seater Teak Sofa in Leather , Denmark
Located in Praha, CZ
- Skelet in very good original condition - Leather pillows in good original conditions - Patinated leather
Leather, Teak
De Sede DS-600 ‘Snake’ Sectional Sofa in Patinated Tan Leather by Ueli Berger
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS-600 ‘Snake’ Sectional Sofa in Patinated Tan Leather by Ueli Berger, Switzerland, 1972 An enduring icon of avant-garde furniture design, the DS-600 sectional sofa by Ueli ...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 'D70' Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, sofa, model, 'D70', steel, brass, leather, Italy, 1954 A sofa that transforms into a daybed designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1954. Extraordinary elegance in...
Brass, Steel
Mid Century Modern Josef Otmar Gondola Sofa
By Otmar, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Raleigh, NC
Exceptional mid-century modern gondola sofa by celebrated designer Josef Otmar, featuring his signature flowing lines and masterful woodworking. This stunning piece showcases the sc...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Martin Visser BZ29 Sofa, Navy Fabric, Black Metal, Teak Arms
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Martin Visser designed the BZ29 sofa in 1960 for Dutch manufacturer 't Spectrum, creating a study in geometric restraint and functional beauty. The architectural frame features black...
Metal
Three-Seat Sofa Attributed to Franco Albini, 1940s
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful three-seat sofa from 1940 attributed to Franco Albini in rosewood. The fabric used for the padding of the sofa Franco Albini is original of t...
Fabric, Walnut
Design Within Reach Gray Wool Sofa Ted Boerner Theatre Model 80" Width
By Ted Boerner, Design Within Reach
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Mid Century Style Sofa, designed by Ted Boerner for Design Within Reach, American, circa 2010s. Very clean original condition. Ready to use. Like everything Design Within...
Metal, Chrome
Charlotte Perriand LC35 Maison Du Brésil Daybed by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Daybed designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1959. Relaunched in 2018. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. This daybed is part of a faithful reproduction of a student room in the Maison d...
Wood
Rare 1950s MCM Large 8 Foot + "Chevron" Shaped Sofa designed by Baker Furniture
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in St. Louis, MO
Fabulous large Mid-Century Modern "Chevron" shaped sofa on castors, shown in original yellow silk fabric with down pillows. Unusual and I'd say rare, never seen another like it. Clas...
Silk, Down
1930s Danish Art Deco Sofa In Cuban Mahogany By Frits Henningsen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A striking Danish 3-seater sofa in Cuban mahogany by Frits Henningsen. In competition with his teacher Kaare Klint, Henningsen was one of the outstanding designers of the early 20th...
Wool, Hardwood
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Curved Sofa for Minotti, 1950s
By Minotti, Gigi Radice
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa designed by Gigi Radice for Minotti. Made with solid wood structure and ivory velvet upholstery and polished brass legs. The sofa is authentic, only the upholstery has been repl...
Brass
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Patinated Creame-Cognac Leather.
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Patinated Creame-Cognac Leather by Ueli Berger, Switzerland, 1972. The De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa is a mid-century modern piece m...
Leather, Felt, Beech
Adrian Pearsall Walnut “Gondola” Sofa for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The vintage walnut "Gondola" sofa, designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the 1960s, is a stunning piece that embodies mid-century modern elegance. This model 2404-S fea...
Fabric, Walnut
Moncloud Sofa by Patricia Urquiola for Cassina, Modern Italian Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Moncloud Sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) THE FUTURE IN A SOFA A generous, welcoming refuge that celebrates comfort and hospitality. Designed by ...
Upholstery
Flemming Lassen, Sofa, Fabric, Birch, Finland, 1952
Located in High Point, NC
A floral-printed fabric and birch sofa or settee designed by Flemming Lassen and produced by Asko, Finland, c. 1952. Vintage fabric. Reupholstery recommended. Overall Dimensions (i...
Fabric, Wood, Birch